"What if disadvantage need not correlate with poor academic achievement? If instead of researching the 'underachieving' groups (minorities, children for whom English is not their home language, and children of families in poor socioeconomic circumstances) you look at what works in schools to raise the attainment of all these groups, the results are compelling. This inspiring book is grounded in Feyisa Demie's meticulous research and analysis of the high expectations and targeted interventions by schools in one poor inner-city local authority (LA). Schools once in special measures are transformed to "Outstanding" by gifted leadership, effective teachers who mirror the school's intake, and a governing body and community of parents all working towards the same goals. This LA's schools raise their children's attainment at Key Stage 2 and GCSE to levels that far surpass the national average and allow students to access top universities." -- Back cover.